Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Maltese

Side-by-side comparison of two popular breeds — temperament, exercise, grooming, lifespan and common health issues. Use it to decide which breed fits your home.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Maltese — at a glance

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (5.5–8 kg, 9–14 years) and the Maltese (3–4 kg, 12–15 years) sit in different — or sometimes overlapping — corners of dog ownership. Here's how they really compare for an everyday Irish or UK family.

Both breeds have similar energy demands — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel tips slightly higher but neither is a couch dog.

Grooming is where these breeds really diverge: the Maltese needs significantly more brushing, washing and coat care. Factor in €30–€80 every 6–8 weeks for a professional groomer if you don't do it yourself.

If you have young children, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the clearly more child-friendly choice.

For allergy sufferers, the Maltese is the lower-shed, more hypoallergenic option.

Insurance premiums for breeds with brachycephalic, joint or cancer predispositions run 20–40% above average — check before you commit. We have a free quote calculator here.

	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	Maltese
Group	Toy	Toy
Origin	United Kingdom	Malta / Mediterranean
Weight	5.5–8 kg	3–4 kg
Height	30–33 cm	20–25 cm
Lifespan	9–14 years	12–15 years
Energy level
Trainability
Grooming needs
Good with kids
Good with other pets
Hypoallergenic
Watchdog instinct
Novice-owner OK

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Temperament

Affectionate, gentle, eager to please, sociable. Cavaliers form deep bonds with everyone in the household and tend to follow their humans from room to room. They're famously good with children, other dogs and cats.

Exercise

40–60 minutes of moderate daily exercise plus indoor play. Cavaliers retain some sporting-spaniel drive and enjoy retrieving and scent walks.

Grooming

Long, silky coat with feathering on ears, legs and tail. Brush 3–4× weekly. Bathe every 6–8 weeks. Ear hair needs trimming and ears need weekly cleaning. Eye discharge collects under the eyes — wipe daily.

Health

Mitral valve disease — by age 10, ~70% of Cavaliers have heart murmurs. Annual cardiology screening from age 5 strongly recommended. Syringomyelia (Chiari-like malformation). Hip dysplasia. Episodic falling syndrome. Always buy from a breeder doing MVD and SM screening.

Full Cavalier King Charles Spaniel profile →

Maltese

Temperament

Affectionate, fearless, bonded, sometimes barky. Maltese form intense bonds with one or two people and can suffer separation anxiety.

Exercise

20–30 minutes of gentle walking plus indoor play. Easy to over-exercise.

Grooming

Daily brushing if kept long — the coat tangles and mats easily. Most pet owners choose a "puppy cut" every 6 weeks. Tear staining around eyes is very common.

Health

Patellar luxation. Liver shunts. Hypoglycaemia (puppies). Dental disease. Tracheal collapse — always use a harness, never a collar.

Full Maltese profile →

Which is right for you?

Pick the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel if

Families with children, retirees, multi-pet households, first-time owners.

Pick the Maltese if

Apartment dwellers, retirees, allergy-sensitive owners, single-pet households.

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